The 1992 World Cup champions Pakistan fell in need of reaching the semifinals within the 2023 version, concluding their marketing campaign with a 93-run defeat to England on the Eden Gardens.This loss marked their fifth in 9 league video games.
As criticism mounted towards Azam, who confronted challenges with the bat and was scrutinised for his management, it grew to become evident that Pakistan secured the fifth place within the ODI World Cup for the second consecutive time.
Akram’s perspective underlines the necessity to tackle broader points within the cricket system reasonably than singling out the captain for the staff’s collective struggles.
“The captain alone will not be taking part in the sport. Sure, he did make captaincy errors on this World Cup and Asia Cup as effectively. However he is not alone accountable. It is a fault of the complete system for the final one yr or extra the place the gamers do not know who’s the coach. You can not make him the scapegoat right here,” stated Akram on ‘The Pavilion’ present on A Sports activities.
Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq agreed with Akram’s views and believes the poor World Cup exhibiting occurred as a consequence of collective failure.
World Cup 2023: England finish Pakistan’s feeble hopes, India to play New Zealand in first semifinal
“As a participant, administration, we have to realise that it was an general failure. It has been a collective failure, not one particular person is to be blamed.”
“We’re behind in abilities, health and have been behind in preparation as effectively. The whole lot has been disappointing. Our top-class bowling immediately vanished. Why did not we take a look at our spinners? We have now spoken about that if you will India, you want all of your departments to click on. New ball is our energy. We have now didn’t make an influence with the brand new ball,” he stated.
Akram, although, was fast to level out that captaincy stress did have an effect on Azam’s batting within the match.
“Captaincy has put a stress on Babar’s efficiency. He certainly regarded confused, each within the World Cup and Asia Cup. So, he must discover ways to deal with stress and assume solely as a batter and methods to get runs when he’s there on the crease. It’s simpler stated than executed,” he stated.
He additionally feels that Pakistan’s poor exhibiting within the World Cup was an inevitable factor.
“I believe for me both you’re No. 1 or 2,3,4,5 it does not matter. It was written on the wall. Let’s be direct, let’s be trustworthy. First time in historical past, Pakistan have misplaced 5 matches within the World Cup.”
“I’m sorry if I’m too blunt. It was written on the wall from the Asia Cup onwards. Everyone knew that this staff was struggling, there was a health downside. That is nonetheless a younger aspect, with 10-12 boys underneath the age of 30. Issues can nonetheless be rectified,” he added.
Former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Moin Khan opined there must be higher planning for performing effectively in international occasions.
“Genuinely, not solely cricketers however PCB must do a self-assessment. We do not have a pool. Naseem Shah received injured and there was no backup.”
“We did not plan and did not play any bilateral towards high groups. Simply earlier than the World Cup, we performed for 3 months in Sri Lanka in sizzling and humid situations, and so they regarded drained out. There was no spark.”
(With IANS Inputs)
